New iPhone 3GS coming to UAE in August '09

You heard it here first - the new iPhone model Apple unveiled today, the so-so named 'iPhone 3GS' is coming to the UAE this August. Yay!

While Apple - nor the region's telecoms Etisalat or du - have a specific date in mind, it's good to know the UAE is getting the device the same time as about 30 other countries including India, Russia and Egypt, other areas such as Hong Kong and Italy will get their earlier (in Italy's case it will be June 19, the day the new iPhone is available in the US and UK).

Why is that important? Well, Hong Kong and Italy were some of the lucky countries which received their iPhones unlocked and eventually trickled their way onto the UAE grey market. In fact, most of the iPhones bought in the UAE prior to Etisalat's February launch originated in Italy. Will there be a similar grey market over the iPhone 3GS this summer? We can only wait and see...

As for the new iPhone's features, there wasn't much of a surprise: faster processor, more storage capacity, faster internet speeds, video recording, a 3 megapixel camera, a digital compass, better battery life, Nike+ internal support, etc. Expect the 3G model to be get a significant price cut and the new 3GS model to cost more than your monthly rent.